Calgary and Area Chapter

Text and photo: Penny Hogan

On November 23, 2017, Calgary and Area Chapter hosted guest speaker Cindy Beaudet, President of Destinations Seniors Downsizing. Cindy’s Calgary-based company specializes in moving seniors from larger homes into smaller spaces, typically within four days! Even for those of us not quite ready to make the ‘downsizing leap’, Cindy suggests baby steps toward the goal. First, contact your ‘kids’ and give them a timeline for removing all their ‘stuff’ still stored in your basement!

Second, deal with your own ‘stuff' . . . Is there any one of a certain vintage who doesn’t have stacks of photo albums or boxes of loose photos waiting to be organized? Make digital ‘Memory Books’. Start with the oldest album. Put a sticky note with a title and date on the ‘keeper’ pictures as you go through each album. Take the important photos in dated sequence to Costco for scanning onto a disc. Share your memories at a movie night with your kids and grandkids. The final step . . . Toss the actual photos!

Cindy’s advice if you’re wondering about . . . • Furniture: Unless it’s mid century modern

European Teak, or authentic Eames chairs (think orange plastic circa 1970s), furniture is difficult to sell. Even charities are selective in what they will accept. Donations must be very clean and gently used. • Estate Sales: Not profitable unless you have at least $50,000 worth of merchandise . . . cost

is $55.00/per person per hour and usually requires a team of 3 people for 3 days • Best Investment over time: original Art • Some value: stamp collections, coin collections, silver, all can be assessed and sold to collectors. • China: Your kids don’t want it. n

“Home is the memories in the photos and small things on your shelves and walls, not in your sofas and other furniture.” Cindy Beaudet